Bradley-isu Rivalry Red Hot

PEORIA — It wasn't too long ago that Illinois State and Bradley were struggling.

In coach Jim Molinari's first year at Bradley, the Braves went 7-23; the year before, in the '90-'91 season, Illinois State went 5-23.

Things have changed. On Saturday, the two teams continue their quest for a 20-win season and the Missouri Valley Championship before what promises to be a packed house on Bradley's home court at Carver Arena.

These two teams constitute a natural rivalry by way of their location about 30 miles from each other along I-74, but there is more excitement than usual associated with this one.

"People have been around this rivalry for a lot of years and can't remember a game like this," said Kenny Mossman, assistant athletic director at ISU.

The two teams are currently tied for first place in the MVC with 13-3 records and the winner Saturday clinches at least a tie for the regular season conference championship with one game remaining before the conference tournament next weekend.

"I think people tend to deal with pressure by lessening the significance of the event, but you have to take this for what it is," said Molinari. "It is an extremely big game for both teams."

Coach Kevin Stallings, in his third season at ISU, wasn't expected to have his young Redbirds at this point. Nine of his 11 players on the roster are freshmen or sophomores in contrast to the senior-dominated team of Bradley, and he is using that fact to try to keep his players loose despite the high stakes.

"It's bigger to their program than it is to ours," said Stallings, "because this is a season they've been pointing toward with all their seniors and everybody expects them to win."

Molinari recognizes such statements as mind-games, and notes that ISU's leading scorer, Maurice Trotter, is a senior. So is another starter, Kenny Wright.

Bradley is led by junior 6-6 guard Anthony Parker of Naperville, who is averaging 19.3 points per game. Trotter, the 6-4 guard who had 27 points to lead ISU over Bradley 77-72 earlier this season, averages 15 points per game.